Census head count begins in northeast India

Agartala/Guwahati, Feb 9 (IANS) The second and final phase of census 2011 began Wednesday across the northeastern states.The family members of governors, chief ministers and other important personalities were among those enumerated on the first day of the final phase.

The final phase of the India-wide census will conclude Feb 28.

“Census officials and enumerators were on job from early morning,” senior census official Dilip Acherjee told IANS.

The chief ministers have urged the people to cooperate with the officials to make an error-free counting with a slogan “our census, our future”.

Wrong information by individuals or wrong registration by enumerators will attract legal action, the official said.

“A fine of Rs.1,000 and jail term for up to three years could be given to those who deliberately give wrong information and to officials deliberately registering wrong data,” Acherjee said.

According to officials, around 100,000 enumerators and supervisors have been appointed in the eight northeastern states to make door-to-door head count of people, including beggars, sex workers and eunuchs.

Soldiers and para-military troopers have been engaged as enumerators in their camps and barracks.

The 45-day first phase of the census for the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC) was conducted from April to September 2010.

Acherjee said: “Each person will be asked 29 questions and the information will remain confidential.”

Midnight of March 1, 2011 will be the reference date and time for the collection of information.

A five-day revision round of survey will be conducted from March 1-5 to record the births and deaths that have taken place during the 20-day period, Acherjee added.